Yes folks, Oktoberfest which is brought to you by the Clarksville Edelweiss Club is a grand event held in the best old world German traditions. Oktoberfest was created to recognize German heritage and culture. This year marked the 29th year the festival has been held.

The atmosphere was filled with plenty of song and dancing, including the always popular chicken dance. The person wearing the chicken outfit was something of an instant celebrity with people posing for pictures throughout the night with the famous chicken All evening the dance floor was so crowded we were packed in elbow to elbow; the sweet sounds of the band, the laughing and friendly mood of all in attendance made for a great time

Dancers at the 2009 Clarksville Edelweiss Club's Oktoberfest

One can not talk about Oktoberfest without discussing the wonderful  food and drinks!  The Chicken and Schnitzel was very tasty and was seasoned  just right. The Bratwurst booths to take care of the hungry attendees and all of the lines remained full all night long. Whatever choice you made it was complimented nicely by whatever variety of beer, coffee, or soft drink that you were drinking.

For those over 21, there was a selection of twelve different German and American brews each served in a souvenir Oktoberfest mug.

The busiest lines of the evening seemed to be the dessert section of the festival.  Adults and kids a like feasted on German baked favorites like Black Forrest Cake, Chocolate Cake, German Cheese Cake, Apple Strudel, Carrot Cake, and moist Cupcakes or Brownies. Also available were giant Funnel Cakes served piping hot one covered in powder  sugar. The funnel cakes  were cooked by Rob Brown, the general manager of the Clarksville Fox Woman’s Full Contact Football Team.

For those looking for a more excitement, there was a carnival with rides and other activities that gave the kids both young and old something to get the heart moving.

Security at the event was strictly enforced, but the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Deputies were very courteous and extremely polite, even with some of the attendees that might have had just a little to much brew.

This writer who is an advent beer drinker and connoisseur, was in seventh heaven, and enjoyed the entire event so much that I gave it a rating of five mugs and a giant Wunderbar!

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Mounted Officer Cristel Patterson with one of her fans at "Kids and Cops"

The Clarksville Tactical Response Team, garbed in black uniforms, was clustered about the response truck. “Bob,” he CPD’s bomb-sniffing robot was availabble for public inspection — something that appealed greatly to young children enamored of robots and movies like the recent “Wall-E.” The Mounted Police were on hand, allowing youngsters to hop up for a quick picture taken with a mounted officer astride several of the department’s magnificent horses. The canine division brought its dogs to meet and greet the public. – A description of the 2008  “Kids & Cops” event

Images from the 2008 Kids & Cops event

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Flier

One prime example of bad cell phone etiquette is people yelling into their cell phones. Have you ever noticed how people talk much louder into the cell phone than a regular phone? It’s very common, and can be extremely annoying for all those nearby.

A lot of people will excuse themselves into another room when taking a call, but there are some times when you can’t leave. For example, when you’re riding in a car with someone, you might need to take a call, and there’s no “other room” you can go into. It is times like these when cell phone etiquette is of the utmost importance.

So why do people with normal speaking volumes yell into their cell phones? It’s a pretty simple explanation, actually. Household telephones, or landlines, have a microphone in the receiver that amplifies your voice into the ear piece. When you talk into a landline, your voice is captured and replayed through the ear piece, so you hear your own voice loud and clear.

It’s very similar to how a radio DJ wears headphones, then speaks into a microphone and hears his own voice in the headphones. With cell phones, your own voice is not amplified into the earpiece, so the only sound you hear is from your mouth.

Seem like this wouldn’t be a huge difference, but the volume level of words coming from your mouth through the air and into your ear is a pretty big difference from sounds coming from a phone speaker that’s pressed directly against your ear.

Cell phones are very common in society, but relatively speaking, they’re still pretty new. Unless you’re a teenager, you probably grew up in a time when household phones were the norm, and therefore you are subconsciously trained to act as though every phone operates like a household phone. So it’s no surprise that when most of us made the switch from landlines to cell phones, we carried over a bunch of our habits.

Now we hear our own voice as much softer while speaking into our cell phones and the natural reaction is to speak up.

It’s important to avoid this tendency in situations where you’re trying to be polite. Remember, people want to hear you screaming into a cell phone about as much as you want to hear them screaming into a cell phone. So keep in mind that, while talking on a cell phone, you only have to use your regular voice, as if the person were standing right next to you.

Perhaps one day cell phone companies will decide to incorporate the same voice-amplification technologies into cell phones that were commonly used in landlines. But it’s probably not going to happen. Cell phones are here to stay, so we all need to adapt and start practicing proper cell phone etiquette.

* Originally posted at Thel’s Talk, used with permission.

Swine Flu (Influenza A/H1N1) is rapidly spreading, and has become a item of major concern to public health agencies around the globe. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has declared a public health emergency in the United States. Their response goals are to help reduce transmission and illness severity, and provide information to help health care providers, public health officials and the public to address the challenges posed by this emergency.

Investigations are ongoing to determine the source of the outbreak. To assist in this endeavour, the CDC has activated its Emergency Operations Center (EOC) to help coordinate the investigation.

The United States Government has thus far reported 109 laboratory confirmed human cases, including one death in Texas. Mexico has reported 97 confirmed human cases of infection, including seven deaths. The following countries have reported laboratory confirmed cases with no deaths – Austria (1), Canada (19), Germany (3), Israel (2), Netherlands (1), New Zealand (3), Spain (13), Switzerland (1) and the United Kingdom (8).

The World Health Organization raised the worldwide pandemic alert level to Phase 5 on April 29, 2009.

Phase 5 is characterized by human-to-human spread of the virus into at least two countries in one WHO region. While most countries will not be affected at this stage, the declaration of Phase 5 is a strong signal that a pandemic is imminent and that the time to finalize the organization, communication, and implementation of the planned mitigation measures is short.

Staying healthy

There are everyday actions people can take to stay healthy.

• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hands cleaners are also effective.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.

Try to avoid close contact with sick people.

• Influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of infected people.
• If you get sick, CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.

Key Facts about Swine Influenza (Swine Flu)

What is Swine Influenza? Swine Influenza (swine flu) is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza virus that regularly causes outbreaks of influenza in pigs. Swine flu viruses cause high levels of illness and low death rates in pigs. Swine influenza viruses may circulate among swine throughout the year, but most outbreaks occur during the late fall and winter months similar to outbreaks in humans. The classical swine flu virus (an influenza type A H1N1 virus) was first isolated from a pig in 1930.

How many swine flu viruses are there? Like all influenza viruses, swine flu viruses change constantly. Pigs can be infected by avian influenza and human influenza viruses as well as swine influenza viruses. When influenza viruses from different species infect pigs, the viruses can reassort (i.e. swap genes) and new viruses that are a mix of swine, human and/or avian influenza viruses can emerge. Over the years, different variations of swine flu viruses have emerged. At this time, there are four main influenza type A virus subtypes that have been isolated in pigs: H1N1, H1N2, H3N2, and H3N1. However, most of the recently isolated influenza viruses from pigs have been H1N1 viruses.

Swine Flu in Humans

Can humans catch swine flu? Swine flu viruses do not normally infect humans. However, sporadic human infections with swine flu have occurred. Most commonly, these cases occur in persons with direct exposure to pigs (e.g. children near pigs at a fair or workers in the swine industry). In addition, there have been documented cases of one person spreading swine flu to others. For example, an outbreak of apparent swine flu infection in pigs in Wisconsin in 1988 resulted in multiple human infections, and, although no community outbreak resulted, there was antibody evidence of virus transmission from the patient to health care workers who had close contact with the patient.

How common is swine flu infection in humans? In the past, CDC received reports of approximately one human swine influenza virus infection every one to two years in the U.S., but from December 2005 through February 2009, 12 cases of human infection with swine influenza have been reported.

What are the symptoms of swine flu in humans? The symptoms of swine flu in people are expected to be similar to the symptoms of regular human seasonal influenza and include fever, lethargy, lack of appetite and coughing. Some people with swine flu also have reported runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

Can people catch swine flu from eating pork? No. Swine influenza viruses are not transmitted by food. You can not get swine influenza from eating pork or pork products. Eating properly handled and cooked pork and pork products is safe. Cooking pork to an internal temperature of 160°F kills the swine flu virus as it does other bacteria and viruses.

How does swine flu spread? Influenza viruses can be directly transmitted from pigs to people and from people to pigs. Human infection with flu viruses from pigs are most likely to occur when people are in close proximity to infected pigs, such as in pig barns and livestock exhibits housing pigs at fairs. Human-to-human transmission of swine flu can also occur. This is thought to occur in the same way as seasonal flu occurs in people, which is mainly person-to-person transmission through coughing or sneezing of people infected with the influenza virus. People may become infected by touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose.

What do we know about human-to-human spread of swine flu? In September 1988, a previously healthy 32-year-old pregnant woman was hospitalized for pneumonia and died 8 days later. A swine H1N1 flu virus was detected. Four days before getting sick, the patient visited a county fair swine exhibition where there was widespread influenza-like illness among the swine.

In follow-up studies, 76% of swine exhibitors tested had antibody evidence of swine flu infection but no serious illnesses were detected among this group. Additional studies suggest that one to three health care personnel who had contact with the patient developed mild influenza-like illnesses with antibody evidence of swine flu infection.

How can human infections with swine influenza be diagnosed? To diagnose swine influenza A infection, a respiratory specimen would generally need to be collected within the first 4 to 5 days of illness (when an infected person is most likely to be shedding virus). However, some persons, especially children, may shed virus for 10 days or longer. Identification as a swine flu influenza A virus requires sending the specimen to CDC for laboratory testing.

What medications are available to treat swine flu infections in humans? There are four different antiviral drugs that are licensed for use in the US for the treatment of influenza: amantadine, rimantadine, oseltamivir and zanamivir. While most swine influenza viruses have been susceptible to all four drugs, the most recent swine influenza viruses isolated from humans are resistant to amantadine and rimantadine. At this time, CDC recommends the use of oseltamivir or zanamivir for the treatment and/or prevention of infection with swine influenza viruses.

What other examples of swine flu outbreaks are there? Probably the most well known is an outbreak of swine flu among soldiers in Fort Dix, New Jersey in 1976. The virus caused disease with x-ray evidence of pneumonia in at least 4 soldiers and 1 death; all of these patients had previously been healthy. The virus was transmitted to close contacts in a basic training environment, with limited transmission outside the basic training group. The virus is thought to have circulated for a month and disappeared. The source of the virus, the exact time of its introduction into Fort Dix, and factors limiting its spread and duration are unknown. The Fort Dix outbreak may have been caused by introduction of an animal virus into a stressed human population in close contact in crowded facilities during the winter. The swine influenza A virus collected from a Fort Dix soldier was named A/New Jersey/76 (Hsw1N1).

Is the H1N1 swine flu virus the same as human H1N1 viruses? No. The H1N1 swine flu viruses are antigenically very different from human H1N1 viruses and, therefore, vaccines for human seasonal flu would not provide protection from H1N1 swine flu viruses.

Swine Flu in Pigs

How does swine flu spread among pigs? Swine flu viruses are thought to be spread mostly through close contact among pigs and possibly from contaminated objects moving between infected and uninfected pigs. Herds with continuous swine flu infections and herds that are vaccinated against swine flu may have sporadic disease, or may show only mild or no symptoms of infection.

What are signs of swine flu in pigs? Signs of swine flu in pigs can include sudden onset of fever, depression, coughing (barking), discharge from the nose or eyes, sneezing, breathing difficulties, eye redness or inflammation, and going off feed.

How common is swine flu among pigs? H1N1 and H3N2 swine flu viruses are endemic among pig populations in the United States and something that the industry deals with routinely. Outbreaks among pigs normally occur in colder weather months (late fall and winter) and sometimes with the introduction of new pigs into susceptible herds. Studies have shown that the swine flu H1N1 is common throughout pig populations worldwide, with 25 percent of animals showing antibody evidence of infection. In the U.S. studies have shown that 30 percent of the pig population has antibody evidence of having had H1N1 infection. More specifically, 51 percent of pigs in the north-central U.S. have been shown to have antibody evidence of infection with swine H1N1. Human infections with swine flu H1N1 viruses are rare. There is currently no way to differentiate antibody produced in response to flu vaccination in pigs from antibody made in response to pig infections with swine H1N1 influenza.

While H1N1 swine viruses have been known to circulate among pig populations since at least 1930, H3N2 influenza viruses did not begin circulating among US pigs until 1998. The H3N2 viruses initially were introduced into the pig population from humans. The current swine flu H3N2 viruses are closely related to human H3N2 viruses.

Is there a vaccine for swine flu? Vaccines are available to be given to pigs to prevent swine influenza. There is no vaccine to protect humans from swine flu. The seasonal influenza vaccine will likely help provide partial protection against swine H3N2, but not swine H1N1 viruses.

* Facts in this release are provided by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) Swine Flu web sites. The CDC is one of the major operating components of the US Department of Health and Human Services.

Van transportation to the center was provided by Faith Mission Ministries Church Clarksville, Pastors Harold and Gwen Browning. The trip was also made possible by the generous donations and support from Leonard and Michael Tharpe from Brandon Technologies Incorporated, Tennessee State Representative Joe Pitts, the local chapter of the Triple Nickel, Tennessee State Senator Tim Barnes, Terry & Wanda McMoore of the Urban Resource Center, Vision Construction Company, Sergeant Major Sidney Brown, along with several anonymous donors.

In a letter to the parents Mr. Kenneth Albritton reminded them of the accomplishments of Muhammad Ali, and stressed the mission statement of his organization LIFE.

As you may already know, Mr. Ali was not just a great boxer, but a man who respected himself as well as others, but who more importantly depended on “A Higher Power” to guide his life., Depending on that “Higher Power” for guidance is at the foundation of what we do at LIFE Inc.

LIFE Inc’s aim is to teach these young people about being real young men and young women, instead of thugs, to have respect for themselves as well as respect for others, and learning the importance of education and applying that education in their lives.

It is my belief that we have a responsibility to step in for ALL absent parents and encourage our young people to be whatever they desire to be in life, and that they can aspire to be more than just basketball players, football players, singers and entertainers; they can become lawyers, doctors, police officers, teachers, firemen, scientist and whatever else their little hearts desire.

Life Inc. is the same organization that takes the youth to extreme Ministries for karate and boxing lessons and hope to expand it trips to other regions of the country though out the year.

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Clarksville for Obama will offer a wine-tasting and house party on May 1 at the home of Dennis and JoAnn Latz, 3769 Trough Springs Road, Adams, Tennessee, just off of exit 11 from 7-10 p.m.

Wine expert Amy Gallo will be on hand to answer all your wine questions. All wineconnoisseurs/drinkers are asked to bring their favorite reasonable priced bottle (s) of wine for each other to sample. “The more varieties the better.” Attendees as asked to bring a finger food item such as cheese, wings, vegetables, meatballs, chips,  bottled soda and water.

This event will offer an opportunity for socializing, networking, and further discussion on Clarksville For Obama’s continued involvement in local, state and national political and social issues.

For questions or to RSVP please email: 

This event is open to the public.

Click on this link for directions:  http://www.mapquest.com/maps?city=Adams&state=TN&address=3769+Trough+Springs+Road+&zipcode=37010

The event, which is free and open to the public, is hosted by the Urban Resource Center and its director, Terry McMoore, in partnership with the Center for Community Change.

Over the next 5 years a half a billion dollars in job training money will be coming to Clarksville. Hemlock Semiconductor (HSC) will open a new plant in Clarksville that will hire over 1,000 construction workers to build, and provide over 800 permanent high paying jobs when they open. HSC will be one of the richest employers in Clarksville’s history since the arrival of Fort Campbell in the 1940s.
Under the President’s Economic Recovery Bill, states and counties are poised to receive significant federal funding to stimulate the economy and put people back to work. These are just some of the issues that will be discussed at this community forum.

Initial response from the community and some elected officials has been strong.  community and several elected officials who will be in attendance, including State Senator Tim Barnes and NAACP President Jimmie Garland Sr. are planning to attend this session.

McMoore was asked to hold this meeting by the Washington D.C.-based  Center for Community Change, who will be facilitating most of the meeting.

Ms. Evonne Tisdale, the South East Regional Team Leader for the Center for Community Change, is  in Nashville and has already touched base with the Governor’s office on this issue; she held a  meeting with Nashville Mayor Karl Dean,  who is eagerly awaiting the final plan and proposal from the Nashville African American community.

New job opportunities for Clarksville-Montgomery County targeted populations include:

• High School graduates
• College graduates
• Veterans or members of the reserve forces
• Homeless individuals
• Non-violent ex-felons
• Low-income individuals

This falls right in line with the recently signed into law Economic Recovery Bill. Under the President’s Economic Recovery Bill, states and counties are poised to receive significant federal funding to stimulate the economy and put people back to work.

McMoore wants the community to understand that this bill is intended for all Americans and this meeting is open to anyone who wants to attend. It took people from all races and nationalities to get this far in first ending slavery, and years later stopping Jim Crow laws which eventually led to the signing of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

The country came together to say “enough is enough.” That demand for change resulted in the election of the first African American president in the history of our nation. But there is still work to be done, and by community dialog and working together can we will someday achieve the true meaning of our constitution.

Pastors, Business Owners and the Community-at -Large: are you prepared to have a place at the table right now while there are still jobs and money available? How and what this money is spent on is important to the survival of our communities; these are the jobs of the future and they pay good salaries.

Contact Person for this release is Mr. Terry McMoore at  (931) 378-1999

Ms. Evonne Tisdale, South East Regional Team Leader, Center for Community Change can be reached at Email: or at (615) 469-5220 in Nashville, or at
http://www.communitychange.org/

Clarksville for Obama will meet on Saturday, December 13, from 5-7 p.m. at  G’s Pancake House Restaurant, 803 South Riverside Dr., in Clarksville.

While President Obama and the key members of his White House economic team help him tackle serious challenges and bring the change we need to Washington, we must tackle the problems that challenge our community and bring change to Clarksville.Now is the time to put aside partisanship and politics, find common ground, and work together. Please invite those who might not have been involved in the campaign, even those who might have supported our opponent. The challenges we face demand we be as inclusive as possible. It’ll take the whole country working together to get our country back on track. Your continued involvement is crucial to the future of this movement.

As Barack said on Election Night, “This victory alone is not the change we seek — it is only the chance for us to make that change.” The grassroots organization you built to win the election will continue to set our country on a new path.

No RSVP required to attend.  Join our eGroup to receive all Presidential news, information and updates at: http://my.barackobama.com/page/group/ClarksvilleforObama. The grassroots organization you built to win the election will continue to set our country on a new path.

PUBLIC COMMENTS:  7:25 p.m. Geneva Bell1)  CALL TO ORDER

2)  PRAYER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

3)  ATTENDANCE REGISTRATION

4)  ZONING:  PUBLIC HEARING AND FIRST READING

1. ORDINANCE 21-2008-09 Amending the Official Code relative to signs and advertising structures
2. ORDINANCE 38-2008-09  Amending the Zoning Ordinance and Map of the City of Clarksville, application of Sally Hamilton, Lawson Mabry-Agent, for zone change on property at Wilma Rudolph Boulevard & Trenton Road from R-1 Single Family Residential District  to C-5 Highway & Arterial Commercial District
3. ORDINANCE 39-2008-09  Amending the Zoning Ordinance and Map of the City of Clarksville, application of Carrie Rives, Jason Daugherty-Agent, for zone change on property at Tracy Lane & Cherybark Lane from R-1 Single Family Residential District  to R-4 Multiple Family Residential District
4. ORDINANCE 40-2008-09  Amending the Zoning Ordinance and Map of the City of Clarksville, application of Arthur Reynolds for zone change on property at Potomac Drive & Norfolk Drive from PUD-1 Planned Unit Development  to R-2 Single Family Residential District

5)  CONSENT AGENDA

All items in this portion of the agenda are considered to be routine and non-controversial by the Council and may be approved by one motion; however, a member of the Council may request that an item be removed for separate consideration under the appropriate committee report:

1. ORDINANCE 20-2008-09  (Second Reading)  Amending the 2009 Legislative Budget for voting system repair or replacement  ($17,320)
2. ORDINANCE 23-2008-09  (Second Reading)  Authorizing eminent domain to obtain rights-of-way and or easements for the marina
3. ORDINANCE 24-2008-09  (Second Reading)  Amending the Official Code relative to mayor’s compensation
4. ORDINANCE 25-2008-09  (Second Reading)  Amending the Official Code relative to relative to water and/or sewer service outside the city
5. ORDINANCE 26-2008-09  (Second Reading)  Amending the Official Code relative to grease management for food service establishments
6. ORDINANCE 27-2008-09  (Second Reading) Amending the Zoning Ordinance and Map of the City of Clarksville, application of Theodore Johnson, Rufus S. Johnson, III-Agent, for zone change on property at Memorial Drive and Richaven Road from R-1 Single Family Residential District, M-2 General Industrial District, and O-1 Office-Medical-Institutional-Civic District to C-1 Neighborhood Commercial District, MLUD Mixed Land Use District, and C-5 Highway & Arterial Commercial District
7. ORDINANCE 28-2008-09  (Second Reading) Amending the Zoning Ordinance and Map of the City of Clarksville, application of Bobby A Long and Ann L. Thaxton for zone change on property at Rossview Road & Old Russellville Pike from R-3 Two & Three Family Residential District to O-1 Office-Medical-Institutional-Civic District
8. ORDINANCE 29-2008-09  (Second Reading) Amending the Zoning Ordinance and Map of the City of Clarksville, application of David and Lesley Chapman and Harold E. Duetchmann for zone change on property at Clear Sky Court and Stokes Road from R-2 Single Family Residential District to C-2 General Commercial District
9. ORDINANCE 31-2008-09  (First Reading)  Amending the Official Code relative to animal control  (Public Safety Committee:  Approval)
10. ORDINANCE 36-2008-09  (Second Reading)  Amending the 2009 Capital Projects Budget for various capital projects  ($32,324,000)
11. ORDINANCE 37-2008-09  (Second Reading)  Amending the Official code relative to longevity
12. Adoption of Minutes:  October 2nd, November 5th, November 6th

6)  BUILDING & CODES COMMITTEE: Wayne Harrison, Chair

7) FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE: Wallace Redd, Chair

1. ORDINANCE 30-2008-09  (First Reading)  Amending the 2009 Building & Codes Operating Budget for expenses related to enforcement of sign regulations  ($20,000)   (Finance Committee:  Approval)
2. ORDINANCE 34-2008-09  (First Reading)  Amending the 2009 Fire Department Operating Budget for two Telesquirt fire trucks  ($137,850)  (Finance Committee:  Approval)
3. ORDINANCE 35-2008-09  (Second Reading)  Amending ORDINANCE 126-2007-08, 2009 General Government Operating Budget, relative to payment of a stipend   (Proposed Amendment)
4. RESOLUTION 29-2008-09     Authorizing disposition of real property located at 504 Elder Street   (Finance Committee:  Approval)

8) GAS & WATER COMMITTEE: Richard Swift, Chair

9) GENERAL SERVICES COMMITTEE: Diana Ward, Chair

10) PARKS & RECREATION COMMITTEE: Marc Harris, Chair

11) PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE: Diana Ward, Chair

12) STREET COMMITTEE: Wayne Harrison, Chair

13)  TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE: Barbara Johnson, Chair

14) NEW BUSINESS

1. ORDINANCE 22-2008-09  (Second Reading)  Adopting River District Design Guidelines
2. ORDINANCE 32-2008-09  (Second Reading)  Amending the Official Code relative to requirement of sidewalks and underground utilities in industrial districts
3. ORDINANCE 33-2008-09  (Second Reading)  Amending the 2009 Human Resources Department Operating Budget for employee pay study
4. Approval of Board Appointments:

Audit Committee:  Bob Palmer (replace Clark Nicholson-term expired), Nancy Ladd (replace Bob Yates-term expired) – January 2009 through December 2011

Fair Board:  Missy Graham (reappointment) and Dudley Griffin (replace Mike Harrison-term expired) – January 2009 through December 2009

Parking Authority:  Jane Olson (reappointment) – January 2009 through December 2012

15)  MAYOR AND STAFF REPORTS

16)  ADJOURNMENT

Fort Defiance Park, located at 120 A Street in New Providence, is the site of a Civil War-era fort used by the and later occupied by the Union Army. Today the earthworks (mounds) of the original fort are all that remain. The new interpretive center will illustrate through images and artifacts the story of Fort Defiance and the significance of the fort’s position as a controlling point on the Cumberland River.

The interpretive center will also feature exhibits depicting the history of the New Providence area starting with the Frontier Era (1780-1819), to the Steamboat Era (1819-1843), The Civil War Era (1861-1864), and through the Reconstruction Era (1865-1876).

“Dignity and justice for all of us” is the theme of this year’s International Day for Persons with Disabilities, as well as for the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

In the United States, we are fortunate to have the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), passed in 1990, and the recently passed Americans with Disabilities Amendments Act (ADAAA), which restores much of the original meaning and intent of the ADA that has been watered down over the years, and which will take effect on January 1, 2009.  Even so, there is still much work to be done to ensure equal rights for people with disabilities, and to overcome attitudes and stigmas that still exist today, both in the U.S. and in other countries around the world, especially those without such legislation as the ADA. Following are some excerpts from the United Nations Enable website, “Rights and Dignity for Persons with Disabilities”:

• The annual observance of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, December 3, aims to promote an understanding of disability issues and mobilize support for the dignity, rights and well-being of persons with disabilities. It also seeks to increase awareness of gains to be derived from the integration of persons with disabilities in every aspect of political, social, economic and cultural life.

• Around 10 per cent of the world’s population, or 650 million people, live with disabilities.  If one includes the members of their families, there are approximately 2 billion persons who are directly affected by disability, representing almost a third of the world’s population.

• All over the world, persons with disabilities continue to face barriers to their participation in society and are often forced to live on the margins of society.  They are routinely denied basic rights such as to equal recognition before the law and legal capacity, freedom of expression and opinion, and the right to participate in political and public life, such as voting.  Many persons with disabilities are forced into institutions, a direct breach of the rights to freedom of movement and to live in the community.

• Eighty per cent of persons with disabilities – more than 400 million people – live in poor countries and there is a strong link between disability and poverty. For example, the statistics on employment for persons with disabilities are staggering.  In developing countries, 80 per cent to 90 per cent of persons with disabilities of working age [are] unemployed and in industrialized countries it is estimated to be between 50 per cent and 70 per cent.  The rights to education and health are also routinely denied.   Ninety per cent of children with disabilities in developing countries do not attend school, says UNESCO.

• Approximately 20 million women acquire disabilities as a result of complications during pregnancy or childbirth.

• This continued marginalization against persons with disabilities highlights the need for all States to sign, ratify and implement the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and its Optional Protocol.  The United Nations and the global community must ensure that all its work is inclusive of persons with disabilities.

• On this International Day of Persons with Disabilities, as well [as] during the year-long celebration of the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, let us use ‘dignity and justice for all of us’ as a rallying call, as these principles are far from being realized for everyone.  Dignity and justice are embodied in the civil, cultural, economic, political, and social rights promoted by the Convention. Therefore, the International Day of Persons with Disabilities is a time to make a renewed commitment to the ratification and full implementation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and its Optional Protocol.

The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and its Optional Protocol was adopted on 13 December 2006 at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, and was opened for signature on 30 March 2007. There were 82 signatories to the Convention, 44 signatories to the Optional Protocol, and 1 ratification of the Convention. This is the highest number of signatories in history to a UN Convention on its opening day. It is the first comprehensive human rights treaty of the 21st century and is the first human rights convention to be open for signature by regional integration organizations.

The Convention marked a ‘paradigm shift’ in attitudes and approaches to persons with disabilities. It takes to a new height the movement from viewing persons with disabilities as ‘objects’ of charity, medical treatment and social protection towards viewing persons with disabilities as ‘subjects’ with rights, who are capable of claiming those rights and making decisions for their lives based on their free and informed consent as well as being active members of society.

The Convention is intended as a human rights instrument with an explicit, social development dimension. It adopts a broad categorization of persons with disabilities and reaffirms that all persons with all types of disabilities must enjoy all human rights and fundamental freedoms. It clarifies and qualifies how all categories of rights apply to persons with disabilities and identifies areas where adaptations have to be made for persons with disabilities to effectively exercise their rights and areas where their rights have been violated, and where protection of rights must be reinforced.

Legislation alone will not ensure that persons with disabilities can enjoy their human rights.  States will need to formulate effective policies and programs that will transform the provisions of the Convention into practices that will have a real impact on the lives of persons with disabilities.  For persons with disabilities, as for all persons, the denial of one right can lead to the denial of other rights and opportunities throughout their lives.

This International Day for Persons with Disabilities is a time to make a renewed commitment to these principles of dignity and justice and to ensure implementation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.  All human beings are not only entitled to rights, but also have the responsibility of making universal human rights a reality for all of us.”

Click on  Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities for more information on the convention and its Optional Protocol and International Day of Persons with Disabilities. You can also contact:

Department of Economic and Social Affairs
Division for Social Policy and Development
United Nations Headquarters
Two United Nations Plaza, 13th Floor
New York, N.Y. 10017
Email:

In a special session Monday night, the City Council approved an amendment to the city’s capital project budget, giving the okay to $32 million in new debt and $39 million in re-structured debt for development of Mayor Johnny Piper’s proposed marina, water park and other Fairgrounds “development.” The debt package would extend loans through 2027.

In fact, the “done deal” marina has spurred boats sales, or the illusion and suggestion of boat sales, including the collage of watercraft already on display in a Riverside Drive dealer’s lot and another boat display/storage area strategically poised on the concrete slab that once housed the Fairground Pavilion.

Councilors Wallace Redd, Marc Harris and Wayne Harrison opposed the amendment, with Harris lobbying for a 30-day stay on this vote, a move that would have allowed new city councilors a say in a development project that will, in January, fall under their purview. Not all the new councilors support the marina; the current council make-up was a guaranteed win for marina advocates.

What consideration has been given to traffic flow problems on access roads (state highways) to the new development have been elaborated on. Clarksville already has significant traffic flow issues including along Riverside Drive, and water park/marina development will magnify those issues as well for the people who live, work in or travel that area.

As the new council oversees future development of the marina and the Cumberland as a recreational waterway, it is hoped that among their concerns they will consider the overwhelming noise pollution generated by powerboats and jet skis — the latter can equal the output of a racetrack in one’s back yard. The amount of oil and gasoline residue that seeps from vehicles such as jet skis, particularly older models, is a serious pollutant on many waterways; newer models have adapted to stricter EPA standards. In many forward-thinking states these “toys” have been banned on small lakes and rivers because of the noise, noise pollution, and pollution issues, and earth-friendly reclaiming of rivers and streams — or at least, do no further harm — is the most important priority.

Given that the city for years has endured the stench of wastewater treatment permeating the downtown business and residential district, it would behoove the new council to address that that issue in tandem with any new downtown and riverfront development.

If the current administration is hellbent on this form of development, it is incumbent on the next City Council to be proactive in protecting the natural resources that run through Clarksville, and ensuring that within this development, there are ample protections for the water, the shoreline and the abutting homes and businesses (including new residential development). Or hope that the pollution just runs downstream…rendering it NIMB (Not In My Backyard).

Ukau W. Snedeker

The Clarksville Police Department is requesting help from the public in locating Ukau W. Snedeker (DOB: 3/10/1990).  He has warrants on file for Criminal Conspiracy and Criminal Responsibility for an Aggravated Robbery committed at 2804 Wilma Rudolph Blvd. (Advance America).

On February 22, 2008, at approximately 6:15 p.m, two individuals entered Advance America on 2804 Wilma Rudolph Blvd armed with handguns and demanded all the money.  The suspects fled the business after taking an undisclosed amount of money.  Warrants have been issued for Ukau W. Snedeker’s involvement in the robbery.

Contact 911 if you know where Snedeker is located or call the Tipsline at 931-645-8477.

In the last two years, I gathered an analyzed the daily news from MSNBC. As if addicted, I find myself anticipating this daily newscast, which comes in on Channel 49 in Montgomery County. My keen understanding and interpretation of the news is influenced by MSNBC, where a trio of commentators — Chris Matthews, Keith Olberman and Rachel Maddow — are welcomed into my home. They serve as commentators as well as reporters that provide insight into the news that I can find nowhere else. 

To keep myself knowledgeable, I read regularly local papers,Newsweek, and USA Today. Now I add to this list the Matthews-Olberman-Maddow team of MSNBC. Their presentation, interpretation, deciphering and critiquing commentary is sterling. Each evening they superbly challenge us to think about the meaning of the news. They are master commentators with refreshing insights. With elegance, courage and intelligence they provide a fresh perspective in news reporting, and their reporting is dominated by a sensitivity to the whole truth in current events and politics.

On Hardball with Chris Matthews, Countdown with Keith Olberman, and The Rachel Maddow Show, these journalistic leaders have become authority figures in news reporting, offering impartiality and insight in characters, stories and politics that fill our daily news.

On many evenings after viewing these programs, I comment to myself on their “dramatic, moving and impressive” performances. Their shows are gripping and keep me tuning in nightly to find thought-provoking and convincing truthfulness.

For a fresh understanding of political events, for a deeper understanding of the significance of declarations by our political leaders and the meaning of political trends, turn on MSNBC. Their riveting discourses are worth the time; I recommend them highly.